New York Larceny Laws

The crime of larceny occurs when someone takes another's property (without the use of force) with the intention of depriving the rightful owner of that property either permanently or for a significant amount of time. Practically speaking, larceny is the same as common theft; the term itself is rooted in English common law. New York is one of a handful of states that still use the term larceny for what is commonly referred to as theft.

New York Larceny Laws at a Glance

Learn more about New York's laws prohibiting larceny in the table below.

The accused, when stealing the property, had the specific intent to either:

Cause the property to be withheld from its owner permanently or for such an extended period as to significantly decrease its worth or benefit; or

To exercise control over the property (or enable a third person to do so) permanently or for such an extended period as to reap the major portion of its worth or benefit.

Statutory Definition of "Property"

Any money, personal property, real property, computer data, computer program, thing in action, evidence of debt or contract, or any article, substance or thing of value*, including any gas, steam, water or electricity, which is provided for a charge or compensation.

*Value of the property is determined by its market value at the time and place of the crime, or the cost of replacement of the property within a reasonable time after the crime.

The latter four variations are more modern derivatives of the offense:

Larceny by acquiring lost property

Larceny by committing the crime of issuing a bad check

Larceny by false promise (obtaining property by means of an express or implied promise to engage in certain conduct in the future pursuant to a scheme to defraud)

Larceny by extortion (obtaining property by a wrongful use of fear which is induced by a threat of physical injury, damage to property, or other harmful consequence)

If the prosecution cannot establish that the defendant employed one of the aforementioned means to commit the crime, no conviction may be obtained.

Have a Defense Attorney Evaluate Your Charges for Free

Depending on the value of the property allegedly stolen, prior offenses on your record, the underlying circumstances of the incident, and other details, you may be facing several years in prison for a larceny conviction. Your best bet is to contact an attorney. Get started today by having a New York defense attorney evaluate your case for free.